Your Detailed Itinerary RomanticScotland

To search over 7,000 quality assured accommodations, from bed and breakfasts to castles go to: www.visitscotland.com

For information, inspiration and more itineraries online check out: www.visitscotland.com

The information contained in this publication is as supplied to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge is correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. April 2015.

VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our natural environment and built heritage, upon which tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.

Cover: A medley of fresh Scottish seafood © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint Additional photography: Paul Dodds, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint

Day 1Take the road through Liddesdale in Scottish Borders for Hermitage Castle, visited by Mary, Queen of Scots, then head south west via Gretna Green which, like other places along the border, was a destination for eloping couples in the days when Scotland had less strict wedding laws!

Continue west for Dumfries, with its Robert Burns connections, and a good base for exploring other romantic connections in the area. These include, to the south, Sweetheart Abbey, a red sandstone ruin with a romantic tale, while, to the north-west on the B729, you’ll find Maxwelton House, a name famous in the world of traditional Scottish song.

Day 2Heading south and west brings you to the Solway coast and, on the A711, Dundrennan Abbey, another picturesque ruin associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Loop round via picturesque Kirkcudbright to head north for Ayrshire and the area

associated with Robert Burns, where a whole range of places, centred on the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway, Ayr, are worth exploring for their connection to this romantic figure in Scotland’s literary life. In 1791 he famously wrote what is perhaps Scotland’s saddest and most romantic song of parting – ‘Ae fond kiss and then we sever’.

Day 3Head north-east for Glasgow, ideal for a romantic city break. For a start, it is the only city in the UK which is a burial site for the remains of St Valentine. With a wealth of art galleries, you can easily follow up themes such as the painters of the Romantic Movement – and, while enjoying the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, in particular, find out about one of Scotland’s most famous architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Day 4There’s a special romance in the Loch Lomond area – and it lies close to Glasgow, to the north of the city. Perhaps it came about through the famous Scottish song ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’, with its poignant and romantic theme of the soldier destined never to walk with his true love again by the ‘bonnie banks’. In Balloch at the south end of the loch you can orientate yourself at the Gateway Centre, then enjoy the entertainments and shopping at the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre.

Next, take the east bank road, via Drymen and Balmaha, with plenty of places to stop off and take a walk by the wooded shores. The road stops at Rowardennan – though you can continue on foot to enjoy the loch and mountain views.

Day 5Retrace the shore-side route as far as Drymen and take the A811 eastwards, turning north on the A81 for the Trossachs. This is the part of Scotland where tourism first began at the dawning of the Romantic Age before the end of the 18th century, when Highland scenery was seen in a new way – as exciting, daring and filled with tales of adventure. The Highland clansmen themselves were likewise seen as adventurous and daring – and the most famous and romantic of them was Rob Roy Macgregor. Though a real-life Highlander (d.1734) his exploits became legendary. Even Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel about him. Beyond Aberfoyle (on A81) continue west past Loch Ard to Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine.

Rob Roy was born by the loch, a little further west. Take the road west through Glen Arklet, where Rob courted his wife Mary of Comar, and drop down to the shores of Loch Lomond at Inversnaid. Even this little place has its romantic overtones: it is the title of a romantic poem by the

English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, who was inspired by the waterfall here.

Return east to Aberfoyle, going north over the Duke’s Pass (the A821) for Callander.

Romantic Scotland

Romantic Scotland

1

HERMITAGE CASTLE – Borders strongholddating from the 14th century. Mary, Queen of Scots, rode from Jedburgh and back in a day (over 80km) to visit her lover Bothwell here.

7

HIGHLAND MARY STATUE, MAUCHLINE – The statue commemorates Robert Burns parting from Mary Campbell, who died before he could fulfil his promise to marry her.

2

GRETNA GREEN OLD BLACKSMITH’S SHOP – The original blacksmith's shop and cottage is now an exhibition explaining the romantic significance of Gretna Green as a destination for eloping couples in the olden days.

4

MAXWELTON HOUSE – Near Moniaive, dates originally from 1370; it was the home of the beautiful Annie Laurie, heroine of a famous old Scots ballad still sung today.

5

DUNDRENNAN ABBEY – Remains of this 12th century abbey in peaceful countryside notable as the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, spent her last night in Scotland.

L i tt l e

M

i n ch

Th e M

i nch

M o ra y Fi r t h

Fi r t h o f Fo r t h

LochShin

LochNess

LochEricht

Loch Tay

LochAwe

Loch Earn

Loch LomondLoch Lomond

LochShiel

A712

A96

A96

A701

A702

A167A746

A702

A713

A816

A816

A848

A68A844

A702

A697

A688

A868

A947A940

A84

A811

A7

A7

A72

A596

A857

A71

A595

A815

A98

A77

A90

A920

A714

A710

A926

A9

A97

A75

A77

A701

A701

A711

A69

A855

A755

A867

A716

A941

A7

A82

A822

A837

A696

A957

A592

A95

A839

A941

A77

A77

A858

A944

A78 A737

A78

A83

A83 A82

A6

A933

A1087

A875

A814

A90

A821

A689

A93

A939

A686

A6088

A198

A831

A1

A920

A75

A75 A75

A75

A850

A830

A846

A709

A841

A99

A66

A835

A965

A83

A6112

A866

A930

A847

A948

A698

A751

A76

A76

A76

A81

A917

A69

A97

A917

A708

A68

A68

A760

A1

A980

A916

A923

A70

A9

A9

A721

A1068

A92

A699

A975

A91

A859

A986

A919

A966

A981

A967

A960

A15

A1

A1

A6105

A937

A70

A85

A706

A886

A913

A836

A90

A90

A689

A827

A888

A86

A990

A865

A938

A880

A698

A94

A95

A95

A591

A838

A894

A823

A819

A939

A6089

A762

A712

A85

A863

A928

A964

A849

A941

A719

A747

A861

A85 A85

A9

A934

A882

A924

A961

A828A884

A832

A950

A698

A822

A944

A889

A826

A817

A952

A832

A833

A699

A949

A703

A923

A920

A82

A87

A87

A87

A890

A890

A839

A836

A851

A836

A887

A99

A835

A689

A897A894

A846

A896

M74

A194(M)

M9

M74

M8

A1(M)

M77

A74(M)

M80

M8

M6

M8

M90

M9

M6

M8

E N G L A N D

N O R T H E R NI R E L A N D

SPEY VALLEY

StromnessKirkwall

John o’ GroatsGills Bay

Scrabster

ThursoMelvichBettyhill

Tongue

Durness

Scourie

Altnaharra

Lochinver

Wick

Dunbeath

Helmsdale

BroraGolspie

Dornoch

Tain

Lairg

Ullapool

Gairloch

Torridon

Stornoway

Arnol

Port of Ness

Callanish

Tarbert

Leverburgh

Otternish

Dingwall Nairn Elgin

CromartyBanff Fraserburgh

Peterhead

Turriff

Huntly

Grantown-on-Spey

AviemoreBoat ofGarten

KingussieRalia

Muir of Ord

CullenMacduff

GardenstownForres

Dufftown

Craigellachie

AchnasheenStrathpeffer

Portree

Elgol

Uig

Dunvegan

Sconser

Lochcarron

Kyle ofLochalsh

Broadford

Carbost

Armadale

Mallaig

Glenelg

Shiel Bridge

Kylerhea

Lochmaddy

Lochboisdale

Isle of Eriskay

Castlebay

DrumnadrochitUrquhartCastle

Fort Augustus

Invergarry

Spean Bridge

Newtonmore

Braemar

Glenshee

BallaterCrathie

Aboyne

Edzell

AlfordInverurie

Ellon

Banchory

Stonehaven

Forfar

Kirriemuir

Glamis

Arbroath

Montrose

Crieff

Carnoustie

BrechinPitlochry

Blairgowrie

Aberfeldy

Killin

Dunkeld

Scone

KinlochRannoch

BlairAtholl

Bruar

Fort William

Oban

Corran

Strontian GlencoeBallachulish

LochalineFishnish

Craignure

Acharacle

Kilchoan

Tobermory

Fionnphort

Feolin

PortAskaig

Bowmore

PortEllen

Crinan

Lochgilphead

Tarbert

Tayinloan

Carradale

Dunoon

Rothesay Largs

Irvine

DumbartonBalloch

Drymen

Dunblane

Helensburgh

Wemyss Bay

Crianlarich

Tyndrum

Tarbet

Inveraray

Lochearnhead

Callander

AberfoyleArdgartan

GourockGreenock

ColintraiveRhubodach

PortavadieKennacraig

Claonaig

Lochranza

Brodick

Campbeltown

Ardrossan

Troon

Prestwick

Kilmarnock

Millport

Ayr

Maybole

LanarkPeebles

Penicuik

Biggar

Abington

Newton Stewart

Girvan

Stranraer

Whithorn

WigtownPortpatrick

Port Logan

Cairnryan CastleDouglas

Gatehouseof Fleet

Kirkcudbright

Dalbeattie

NewAbbey

Langholm

Gretna

LockerbieDumfries

Thornhill

GretnaGreen

Carlisle

Moffat

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Haddington

Galashiels

St Andrews

North BerwickDunbar

Cupar

GlenrothesKinross

Dunfermline

LinlithgowFalkirk

Selkirk

JedburghHawick

Poolewe

Tomintoul

Daviot

Spittal ofGlenshee

Arisaig

Kirkcaldy

Eyemouth

CrailAnstruther

Sanquhar

New Galloway

Melrose KelsoColdstream

Burwick

St Margaret’s Hope

Aultbea

Mellon Udrigle

Buckie

KeithFochabers

Lossiemouth

Carrbridge

Kincraig

Hamilton

Coatbridge

Motherwell

Paisley

Larne

Alva

Bo'nessRosyth

Auchterarder

Burntisland

RoslinNewtongrangeDalkeithOld Craighall

Leven

Mauchline

NorthKessock

Drimnin

Laga

Ballycastle

Beauly

GLASGOW

ABERDEEN

INVERNESS

DUNDEEPERTH

NEWCASTLEUPON TYNE

EDINBURGH

BELFAST

STIRLING

Cairngorms

National Park

Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park

Cairngorms

National Park

Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park

LEWIS

HARRIS

BARRA

Canna

Rum

Eigg

Muck

Coll

Tiree

Colonsay

Iona

GighaBute

Seil

Lismore

Ardnamurchan

Luing

RAASAY

NORTHUIST

SOUTHUIST

MULL

JURA

ISLAY

ARRAN

Mull OfGalloway

SKYE

SCALPAY

BERNERAY

ORKNEY

SANDAY

STRONSAYEday

ROUSAY

HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY

BENBECULA

BurnsCottage

MaxweltonHouse

SweetheartAbbey

DundrennanAbbey

Gretna Green FamousBlacksmith’s Shop

Highland MarySatatue,Mauchline

Boat Trips onLoch Lomond

Mackintosh House,Hunterian Museum

& Art Gallery

Hermitage Castle

Loch Lomond Shores

1

2

4

8

5

7

6

9

10

3

0 10 20 30 405 Miles

0 25 5012.5 Kilometers

© MFAtech Mapswww.digital-map.orginfo@digital-map.org+44 (0) 207 871 1332Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

07-ROMANTIC_SCOTLAND_SCOTLAND_MAP_FINAL.pdf 1 3/17/2015 10:14:46 AM

Poets celebrate it and songs are sung – but perhaps everyone has their own definition of romance. For some, it is the drama and poignancy in the lives of historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots. For others, the romance is in the landscape itself – the silent glens and soaring hills speak of tales from long ago.

Romantic Scotland

6

BURNS COTTAGE – Humble birthplace of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, composer and collector of many romantic songs. Adjacent museum.

9

LOCH LOMOND SHORES – Spectacularly positioned visitor centre overlooking ‘the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ and offering magnificent views northwards up the loch.

10

BOAT TRIPS ON LOCH LOMOND Combine a short boat trip and a gentle walk: visit the island of Inchcailloch to enjoy its oakwoods and loch views from the nature trail. Regular sailings from nearby Balmaha.

8

MACKINTOSH HOUSE, HUNTERIAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY – The Mackintosh House is an intimate recreation of the stylish interiors designed by the famous architect and his wife for his own home.

SWEETHEART ABBEY – Definitely a romantic ruin – an abbey built for love. In 1273, Lady Devorgilla founded it in memory of her husband, John Balliol.

3